LONDON — Camilla Willings of Fina Vista Farms in Damascus was crowned winner of the Home Hardware Wind Rider Challenge at the recent Can-Am All Breeds Equine Emporium in London.
The Wind Rider Challenge was an elimination competition that had horse and rider attempting to showcase their best skills to a panel of judges. The event took place over the three days of Can-Am Emporium, with the first activity an obstacle course, followed by a timed obstacle and freestyle competition.
The judges evaluated each team’s performance under five areas, described in the following ways:
• Wow factor: just how daring was the routine?
• Teamwork: did the horse and rider team help or hinder each other as they competed?
• Horsemanship: did the riders work with or against their trusty steeds while performing?
• Equitation: just how good was the riding?
• Attitude of the horses: were the horses willing to work with their rider even if they were afraid of an activity or item?
The event attracted competitors from various breeds and disciplines — from English riders, Western riders, Endurance riders to Gaited Horse riders. Twenty-two finalists competed on a timed course with a variety of challenges including trail obstacles, ring jousting, gymkhana and elements of reining, hunter/jumper and dressage.
Willings had pre-qualified for the competition by winning grand champion at a regional competition in 2009, during the New Norwich World Round-Up in Norwich. According to Willings, “the prize for that competition was $500 and earned me a spot at the finals at Can Am, plus a bucket full of great prizes (like tack and grooming supplies).”
The victory came as part of a team with her Paso Fino stallion, Mercenario (“Mercy”).
“Interestingly enough,” Willings added, “the second place winner at (the Norwich) event was my friend, Victoria Poe, riding my 14 year-old Paso Fino mare, Pianola, which I think shows how well-suited this breed is to this competition highlighting versatility.”
Mercy was the only gaited horse and only Paso Fino in the final leg of the competition at Can Am. Other competitors’ mounts included Arab, Canadian Horse, Appaloosas, Quarter Horse, thoroughbred, Morgan, Shire cross, and Gypsy Vanner.
Prizes for the top three placing were valued at over $15,000. Willings took home a custom Ortho-Flex saddle, an Anivac, clippers, and prize money.
“I think it is great that Can Am hosts and supports this wonderful multi-disciplinary event that is accessible to all,” she said, adding it’s “really fun to watch, too.
“It is a competition that rewards and celebrates the special relationship that horse and rider develop together, no matter what kind of horse they have, what they are wearing or how much their saddle costs . . . and I think the public really likes to see that kind of thing.”
Willings and Mercy will represent Canada at the North American Wind Rider Challenge during Wisconsin’s Midwest Horse Fair this month, for the title of “Most Versatile Horse in North America.”
